Rising to the challenge - Tour of Margaret River 2022
4Five+ Athlete Collective’s goal is to support and inspire women to be fit and active through mid life & beyond, and we are so proud to see these goals embraced and demonstrated by the 4F Socialites women’s development team at the recent Tour of Margaret River. The team was expertly supported by Margot Biggs and Roberta Richardson - thank you for giving your time and experience, it is deeply appreciated.
Here is ToMR described by the ageless athletes themselves. I cannot describe their journey better than them. Inspiring.
Geraldine Gorman, first-time road racer
When I said a tentative yes to Vanessa’s email back in August I was responding to the words participation, fun and social and I was somehow aware that a 4F kit would be included. Only later did I realise the enormity and status of the event that is TOMR and my attempts to withdraw were too late and futile. It was great trepidation that I set out on the Friday morning initial team time trial in the illustrious company of some much stronger, fitter and younger riders than me. 5km into that ride and my worst nightmare was realised. These ladies are strong, I am woefully weak and unprepared and if I could fall off my bike now and end my misery then the team would benefit and so would I! But Kate Boulton and the other wonderful ladies of the 4F Socialites were not going anywhere without out me and I just had to find what it took to keep up with them and I somehow did. On Saturday morning with my first ordeal over, things got better. My nerves abated as I slogged my way up the hills doggedly and stuck on Carol’s wheel on the terrifying descents and somehow started to enjoy the whole exhilaration that an event like the TOMR offers. I had never ridden in a road race before or been in a team time trial. One year ago I got my first road wheels and 10 months ago I got my first cleats. I had barely ever ridden in my drops before this weekend. On Stage 4 I finally made it into the leading peloton and there was one glorious moment when Ceri and I crested a long climb leading the pack but alas no flashing cameras greeted us and our effort went unheeded except by us. I am very grateful to have found 4F - what an amazing supportive group for all ladies, not just the elite sportswomen. My team was amazing, I am in awe of every one of them. Thankyou for this wonderful opportunity to try something so far out of my comfort zone. It was even harder than I had imagined and I admire all the riders who took part and left a little bit of themselves out there.
Kate Boulton, winner of WB Green jersey, Polkadot jersey, and Yellow jersey
Carol Williams - those turns of yours on stage 5 were absolute power. Vico Wilkinson - you stirring up the pack on stages 2 & 4 gave the race a good vibe and lots more fun than just slogging it out. Nikki Pursell - getting in with 2 weeks notice was phenomenal- lots of teams started with 5 so stepping in was great. Cero Foster - was always there on every stage, helping whenever it was needed, especially stage 5, holding the front while we regrouped. And Geraldine Gorman - first for looking splendid in her kit :-) and second for working to the absolute limit for the team - it was much appreciated.
When we planned to finish stage 5 with 4 so we could get the best time possible, I didn't actually think about how it would feel to dump 2 of our team and halfway through that race I was thinking that there was absolutely no way that was the right thing to do. I know I had a reason to get there as quickly as possible but that is actually insignificant when I think about how I felt at the end, when we crossed the line together- so much better in both my head and my heart. Yes, it's amazing to get a free jersey and a bit of bling but better to feel so grateful for the entire experience- especially the people involved.
Nikki Pursell, first time road racer
I’m so grateful for the experience to ride with all of the inspirational cyclists who took part, especially those in the 4F team. The words that keep ringing in my mind as such great words to hear were from stage 5. I think our plan was to ride together for as much as we could. If a natural 4 /2 split happened then we would keep going with it. Everyone in the team was riding out of their skin. About 6km from the end a split became apparent but it was 3 and 3. We eased up and Kate dropped back. Not long after I heard some shouts saying Go! Go! I called back “Who have you got ? “ The answer was “I’ve Got Them All!” This was just the best. All six coming home together in the final TTT. It was a great way to complete our Tour.
4Five+ also fielded a mixed team at ToMR 2022, and they had an absolute hoot. In his inimitable style, Greg (aka Mo, aka Timmy the Dog) has captured the je ne sais quoi of ToMR 2022. Strap yourselves in for an epic and irreverent retelling of the adventures of the Famous Five. This story is based on true events, and no animals were harmed in its creation. Except maybe Timmy the Dog.
ToMR. Margs. November arrives and stage racing cometh. This year racing was to be with a new group, but old friends. 4F+ Mixers (Internal Project codename - 4F Mixed Nuts) would be a combo of Founder/Head Honcho The Librarian and some Insignificant Others of bona fide 4F members along to support. A fruit salad of sorts, with a generous side of beetroot hummus.
Thursday - Arrival. We descend on Nannup and Jalbarragup. Tents pitched, tyres and egos inflated, bucket o' hummus commenced. Five Famous stages - three team time trials and two off-the-leash road race stages would make up this year's Tour. We're seriously not serious this year. And seriously not SIX. But as Shiz Bro would opine, we're looking strong out there. The Famous Five............ The Famous Five would engage in an adventurous endeavour intended for no less than SIX less famous souls.
But here we are:
·Ralphy as George ·
DrJ as Julian ·
Hanno as Ann-o ·
The Librarian as Dick and
Mo as Timmy the Dog. It would be Timmy's tenth rodeo and first in colours other than green. But it must be said that the coral really highlights his eyes.
Stage 1 TTT. Somewhat like Donkey Kong, it's on. At the Eleventh Hour, we roll as Five. Five Fall Into Adventure. With cameras awaiting, we clip and pedal away. We have decided not to drop a rider in the first stage and so Five Run Away Together. We climb, and climb, and climb, and then blast the descent. There are cameras, and posing and we make the video edit as the main feature (at 16 seconds.......). Five Have A Wonderful Time. George and Julian would pull like a bogged orange tractor, Ann-o would dig in like Boris in a political bind, Timmy chased his tail and Dick too would rise to the occasion. We finish with a respectable time and retire to the temporary 4F+ HQ at The Brewery. We watch as our place descends like a tucked Timmy through Gold Gully, faster than a pint of Nannup Brewing Co Stout. Then the devastating news - Five Get Into A Fix. A one-minute time penalty, allegedly for being unable read numbers in one’s own handwriting, buries the Famous Five to tenth team of ten. Five Get Into Trouble. We return to our beetroot hummus and Kolsch, pull out our mirrors and have a long hard look at ourselves. WOW - Five are puuuurrrrty.
[Ann-o: I hate to be a nitpicker but it was beetroot tzatziki]
Stage 2 Balingup RR. Today was the designated Free For All - who dares wins. Five Fall Into Adventure. It was a rolling, seething washing machine of a pelo. Julian would be Dick's Ferry Service (don't pay the Ferryman, until he gets to the front of the pack), Timmy running in circles and sniffing everything, Ann-o there or thereabouts and George not to be seen again until the finish line. The pack ebbed, the pack flowed, the pack bumped each other into the gutter. We get waved down by the marshals to slow down as there's a crash blocking the road ahead. We ease, we pass, we rubber neck, we resume. George would take 14th and Timmy 19th. George said he had eaten ALL THE PASTA IN ITALY!! But still he rides like the wind - Five Have A Mystery To Solve. But another stage awaits.
Stage 3 TTT. It looks mild on paper, but Dick feels a short but very intense 42km's deep. The group agrees that we're ready - Five Go Adventuring Again. A 9km uphill neutral zone leads into more racing uphill and then down down, prices are down all the way to the finish line. George suspects there are more cameras and Timmy sniffs them out. “WOOF WOOF - there's Daniela Tomasi!” says Timmy. And the Five get in the drops and look FAST! Five Run Away Together. The road rolls onwards and upwards, and Julian powers the wattage on, but ever so ever with something to say. Thankfully Ann-o was doing all within his grasp to ensure there are no Family Court proceedings to result from Julian mouthing off at Dick. Crossing the finish line intact, the Five breathed a sigh of relief. Not enough for George's Famous leaky prostate, a tree was found and a tree was hydrated. Oh, the relief! Back to the 4F+ temporary HQ, there were lashings of loaded fries and Stout shared.
Stage 4 Kandalee RR. Five Go To Billycock Hill. In fact it's a series of *Billycocking* hills. Leaving Nannup under neutral, the speed is sedate, until it isn't, with the first *Billycocking* huge climb. Absolutely so *Billycocking* steep. The peloton surges, George makes the selection off the front, Julian hanging on. Timmy is chasing the group's tail and manages to fetch the bunch. Good Boy, Timmy. It looks like Five Go To Demon's Rocks, with Dick swinging out the back in the breeze, and Ann-o is left as One of Five Off In A Caravan - Not the Broom Wagon!! The longer Adventurous stage saw the Five needing to feed and drink with great discipline. Dick hides her gels in her special lady pocket, but spills her caffeine gel! Oh no - Sticky Dick! Julian and Timmy work across the rolling middle of the parcourse with some lovely young gents that love to explore the whoooooole width of the road, no matter who might be in the way. How selfish. But it is George that sees one of the Five On A Secret Trail. So secret that none of the other Five are able to follow. With George in a bunch of six, attacks saw it reduce to an unfamous Five, then a marauding Four, then a Tripod of Three. Into the final corner, the reduced bunch kicked and George takes THIRD - Five On A (Bronze) Treasure Island!! Julian finishes 9th!!! Timmy holds for 30th!!! Famous Five are now the Eighth Team and steal back some valuable minutes - Five Go To Smuggler's Top.
Stage 5 TTT. The stage starts with a lovely country roll for another 9km of neutral zone. Rolling, rolling, rolling, a Big Bad (meth addled) truck driver has a red hot go at the Five! Constable Take-No-Crap takes matters on and has a quiet word to the truckie. "There's only one Dick on this road" says Constable Take-No-Crap. Approaching the start line, are we going for broke? Absolutely no *Billycocking* way. Five Are Together Again! Go, go go do the Five. Up the *Billycocking* hill they pedal. But wait! Ann-o is struggling - his rear derailleur won't shift! Shimano? No - Five Go Off To Camp-ag. "Bloody Campag!" exclaimed Ann-o. "WOOF WOOF! Ann-o-o, you have more Team Mates that gears!" joked Timmy. Oh, the Five did laugh and laugh. As the miles rolled on and the tired legs struggled to turn over, it gets very dark and Five Go To Mystery Moor. Dick has no power, but Julian and George can watch the watts. "It's only 150 watts!" says Julian, lying through his awful grin. Though George can see that it is over 385, he still finds it funny because he has the legs of a randy stallion. Ann-o can't laugh with so much stem stuck in his teeth. Dick's head was ready to explode. The Five push on and they start to catch the teams ahead. Dick leads the way and the Five pass The Riverside Rollers. They aren't very happy having Dick take them from behind. Followed by George, then Ann-o, then Julian and EVEN TIMMY THE DOG! How uncomfortable. But the breeze did shift, and around it turned for a Homebound tail-y ALL THE WAY HOME! Five Have Plenty Of Fun. Julian, Dick and Timmy the dog all pick up PR's for the last 10km, 5km and 2km of the course, and that was while dragging all that heavy, grinding Camp(-ag) gear around! With Five on Finniston Farm, the sun set a fiery red, the cockatoos squawked and as the Five hooked into lashings of beetroot hummus and ginger (Kolsch) beer one last time, Timmy the dog licked his [edited ;-)].
